Tarsands in Canada have found novel way to export some carbon emissions but still not on path to net zero

Fossil fuel companies have largely made commitments to become net zero for some time in the future. No one said it would be easy but it is absolutely essential as we realise we need to fully decarbonise to meet our long-term climate and energy objectives. Emily Chung writes on the CBC News website about how … Continue reading Tarsands in Canada have found novel way to export some carbon emissions but still not on path to net zero

Landlords in UK face challenge to upgrade their properties

Three million buy-to-let landlords will have to pay thousands to upgrade homes. Owners will have to pay to upgrade their properties to meet a minimum Energy Performance Certificate rating of "band C". The planned deadline for newly let properties is 2025. For all existing lets, the deadline will be 2028. Of the 5.6 million rental … Continue reading Landlords in UK face challenge to upgrade their properties

How will ultra long-haul flights from Australia be compatible with the goal of net-zero emissions?

Susanne Becken, Professor of Sustainable Tourism and Director, Griffith Institute for Tourism at Griffith University in Australia and Paresh Pant, PhD Candidate and Sessional Academic also at Griffith University write on The Conversation website about the dilemma airlines face as they plan for ultra long-haul flights from Australia to deal with the country’s tyranny of … Continue reading How will ultra long-haul flights from Australia be compatible with the goal of net-zero emissions?

Science-Based Targets Initiative sees big polluters committing to cutting CO2 emissions

Roger Harrabin writes on the BBC News website about a record number of big polluters are committing to cutting CO2 emissions to the UN-backed the Science-Based Targets Initiative. What are your views?   Record number of polluters set CO2 emissions targets A record number of big polluters are committing to cutting CO2 emissions, a UN-backed … Continue reading Science-Based Targets Initiative sees big polluters committing to cutting CO2 emissions

Too few businesses pledge to reduce business flying, new corporate ranking by Transport & Environment (T&E) and Stand.earth finds

A new ranking of 230 global companies by Transport & Environment (T&E) and Stand.earth shows that 193 businesses fail to act with sufficient speed and ambition to tackle corporate travel emissions. A new ranking of corporate air travel reveals that work is underway to reduce emissions by businesses, but more action is needed. Eight companies, … Continue reading Too few businesses pledge to reduce business flying, new corporate ranking by Transport & Environment (T&E) and Stand.earth finds

Read all about it – important new publications

New JRC report ­– Prosumerism and energy sustainability This report from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre develops a sociotechnical understanding of energy prosumerism to investigate how energy prosumerism can lead to actual reductions of energy and resource demand. The report starts out by explaining what a sociotechnical and broad understanding of prosumerism means. Thereafter, … Continue reading Read all about it – important new publications

New EEA briefing on carbon storage and sequestration potential of Europe’s many land and marine habitats

What is the carbon storage and sequestration potential of Europe’s many land and marine habitats? A first scoping analysis, published recently by the European Environment Agency (EEA), found that forests and wetlands can play an important role in storing carbon but doing so should take account of potential impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services.   … Continue reading New EEA briefing on carbon storage and sequestration potential of Europe’s many land and marine habitats

Japan beefing up its building codes

Zero Energy Homes (ZEH) and Zero Energy Buildings (ZEB) guidelines will be used to enforce the revised building codes according to a news item on the Rethink Tokyo website. They will come into effect after 2025.   Energy conservation architecture to be mandatory for Japan real estate from 2025 On April 22nd, the Cabinet of … Continue reading Japan beefing up its building codes

New UN group to scrutinise companies’ pledges to cut planet-heating GHG emissions

Saphora Smith writes on the Independent website about a new UN group set up to tackle greenwashing. The chair of the new group, Catherine McKenna, says: ‘I believe that most people want to do the right thing but they have to pushed.’ Hopefully this group will have some real impact.   ‘Transparency is the best … Continue reading New UN group to scrutinise companies’ pledges to cut planet-heating GHG emissions

Calling for greater energy efficiency to reduce EU dependence on Russian fossil fuels

Initiatives to improve energy efficiency can reduce the EU’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels. They can also help increase the union’s influence in the global south. Mats Engstrom discusses the issues in an article on the European Council on Foreign Relations website.   Efficient influence: Energy initiatives for a geopolitical Europe Russia’s brutal war on … Continue reading Calling for greater energy efficiency to reduce EU dependence on Russian fossil fuels